Lesson Objective: Students will understand the value of the second component of fostering change -- civic participation. They will understand how variance in voter participation, both in Humboldt County and the nation, has the potential to greatly impact the results of an election and subsequent trends and policies. Students will be introduced to the concept of "social capital" as a distinct measure of community wealth and why it is important.

Students should be familiar with the voting process including registration, voting districts, election timelines, etc. They should also have some background on the political parties in the US. Supplement that discussion and their textbook reading with the following questions:

Discuss with the students the fact that different groups of people have traditionally turned out to vote at higher rates than other groups. Obviously voter turnout affects the results of an election. Ask them to consider, however, what impact this may have beyond just election day. Remind them of the powers that the different levels of government have and that elected officials write policies that affect many aspects of our lives.

Show a transparency made from Overhead Transparency Master 6, "Voter Turnout by Age." The graph depicts the percent of people by age category that voted in federal elections. Point out that the age groups "45-64" and "65 and older" have traditionally turned out to vote at rates almost double some of the younger age groups. Ask students to consider what issues are important to older people? For example, do students think that seniors would vote to raise their property taxes so that a new elementary school could be built? How would that benefit people whose children are already grown? Why would they approve that measure?

Show a transparency made from Overhead Transparency Master 7, "Voter Turnout by Gender." The graph depicts the percent of eligible men and women that voted in federal elections. Point out that in every year except 1976 women have voted at a higher rate than men. Again, ask students to consider what issues are important to this voting group.

Show a transparency made from the student graph of "Voter Participation for Humboldt County" that was presented in Lesson Three. Discuss the findings of the graph with the students in light of the above discussion.

There are many suggestions for ways to increase the voter participation rate in the county, state and nation. Examples include:

• Extend the voting hours so that people who can not get away from work to vote can do so before and after work.
• Extend the election period from one day to two or more days so that people would have more flexibility in scheduling time to vote.
• Hold elections on Saturdays or Sundays rather than Tuesdays because traditionally more people are off work on those days.

Students may have other ideas of ways to get people in their age group to vote.

Beyond voting, the people in a community can build their community wealth and foster change through participating in community life.

The term "social capital" was recognized and coined by political scientist Robert Putnam after a 20-year observation of communities throughout Italy. Putnam and his colleagues discovered that communities identical in form could result in dismal, inefficient failures, as well as bright, successful, innovative successes. The difference between the successes and failures was not explained by affluence, politics, or population movements, but rather by the existence of social capital.

Social capital, according to Putnam, refers to the features of social organization including networks, norms, and trust that facilitate coordination and cooperation for mutual benefit. Putnam recognized that in regions with high social capital, residents are engaged in public issues, they trust one another, and obey laws. Social and political institutions tend to be organized horizontally, rather than hierarchically. Solidarity, civic participation, and integrity all tend to be highly valued.

For additional information about Robert Putnam and social capital, see The American Prospect Online web site http://www.prospect.org.

The World Bank has developed a list of indicators that can be used to measure social capital including:

• Democracy
• Corruption
• Independence of court system
• Strikes, riots and protests
• Prisoners per 100,000 people
• Extent of trust in the government and in trade unions
• Small credit availability
• Civil liberties
• Voter turnout

Source: World Bank http://www.worldbank.org.

Putnam has observed that while social capital seems to be a precondition for economic development and effective government, it tends to be under-provided by private agents. He also noted that while US government programs such as the agricultural extension service and tax exempt status for non-profit community organizations has helped promote the growth of social capital, much could be done to further nurture the growth.

While it is difficult to find quantifiable evidence, there is the general feeling that the network of communities in Humboldt County have higher than average rates of volunteerism and civic participation. Sports clubs, women's organizations, children's events and multicultural celebrations are abundant in our region.

While we seem to be doing a god job, we must ask: Are we reaching enough people, though? Are we reaching the people and the neighborhoods that really could benefit from this network of support?

Students have taken a closer look at the second way to foster change in their communities — civic participation. Students have discussed voting in relation to how it impacts their lives. They have looked at what groups of people vote at high rates and have discussed some ideas to encourage more people to vote. Students have also been introduced to social capital. They have identified how social capital is built and who in their communities is involved in building social capital.

Students are now prepared for the final activity where they will interview members of their community to find out how community wealth is built and learn about an actual case of using civic participation in order to create change in their own community. They will be asked to analyze the effectiveness of their communities at meeting the needs of its members.